§ 109. Mr. WIGNALLasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that trade unions administering unemployment benefit under Section 17 of the Act of 1920 are more efficient than Employment Exchanges in finding work for their unemployed members, he can state whether any calculations have been made as to the amount saved annually, which would otherwise be disbursed in unemployment benefit, by reason of the arrangements for trade unions to administer the benefit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI gladly acknowledge the assistance which many trade unions have given in the administration of unemployment benefit, and it is for this reason that I feel justified in allowing them a grant for administrative expenses in this connection, in spite of the fact that this grant is wholly additional to the administrative expenses that are in any event incurred by the Department. So 987 far as I am aware, there is no direct evidence that the amount of benefit paid out is reduced on account of payment through trade unions.